One killed in Anti-Muslim riots in Shri Lanka, nationwide curfew imposed after attack on mosque

May 14, 2019

Police said after imposing a nationwide curfew to contain a violent new backlash against Easter suicide bombings that a Muslim man was killed in Sri Lanka on Monday.

The 45-year-old man died shortly after admission to a hospital in Puttalam district during anti-Muslim rioting which began Sunday in the area, a police official told AFP.

According to the official sources, “Mobs had attacked him with sharp weapons at his carpentry workshop.” “This is the first death from the riots.” His death was reported after authorities ordered the entire country placed under a night curfew and police were ordered to use maximum force to deal with troublemakers

.

Police will take stern action against rioters and constables have been issued with orders to use maximum force, Police Chief Chandana Wickramaratne warned in a televised address after rampaging mobs set fire to Muslim-owned shops and vehicles.

Homes and mosques were also vandalised by large groups of people armed with sticks and blunt weapons, police said.

Police said that, The unrest was concentrated in three districts north of the capital, but a night curfew was imposed across the country to prevent the spread of violence.

The latest rioting came three weeks after a string of suicide bomb attacks against three Christian churches and three luxury hotels, leaving 258 people dead and nearly 500 wounded.